Don’t judge this yacht by its exterior — the inside rivals a luxury home

Some people think the Ocean Emerald looks like a floating hospital. Others are drawn to the industrial exterior and luxurious but livable interior spaces on the 41 meter (135 foot) superyacht, according to Boat International.

The Ocean Emerald was built in Italy in 2009 by Rodriquez Yachts, a company since acquired by International SPA. The exterior and interior were designed by London-based architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster and Partners. The yacht’s 28-foot beam affords an owner’s suite that extends from side to side. The suite has a centerline king-size bed, a 60-inch television, ocean-view sofas, en-suite bathroom, and two private terraces. There are four additional staterooms for up to 10 guests plus quarters for the crew of eight, which includes the owner.

The Ocean Emerald is based in Thailand and is one of only a few superyachts available for charter. The owner, Nigel Plaskett, was a successful British manufacturer who sold his company three years ago. Plaskett has a home in Thailand but has his office on the yacht and always stays on board when the Ocean Emerald is chartered, usually 8 to 12 weeks a year.

Two 1,400 horsepower diesel engines have a range of up to 2,800 nautical miles with 6,868 gallons of fuel at a 14-knot cruising speed. Maximum speed is 18 knots, so if you want to water ski or wakeboard, you’ll have to be pulled by one of several watercraft stored in the garage.

Toys abound on the Ocean Emerald. A side-loading garage opens to store a 49-foot tender, two jet skis, and an 18-foot 4-passenger jet boat. No one will be left out if they are seeking fun in, on, or by the water because the yacht is also equipped with kayaks, a paddle board, towable inflatables, water skis, a wakeboard, four full sets of diving equipment, 12 sets of snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment.

Amenities on board include air Conditioning, Wi-Fi, a deck Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, and stabilizers for passenger comfort at anchor and underway.

Ocean Emerald is available for charter for $94,000 a week plus expenses. If you’re interested in renting, be sure to check with the broker handling the charter to learn exactly what “plus expenses” means, as it can vary widely in different parts of the world and with the type of charter contract offered. If, for example, “all expenses” includes all food, fuel, and anything else used during the charter, the total can easily add up to 25 to 50 percent of the base charter fee. In other cases, three meals and fuel for 3 to 4 hours of cruising a day are included in the base fee.

No matter the time of year, it doesn't hurt to have a reliable 4-season tent in your arsenal of backpacking gear. From keeping you protected from the elements to staying warm and cozy when the temperature drops, we've found the best…

NASA's Juno mission arrived at Jupiter in 2016 and has been collecting data since then. NASA has shared an update on the progress of the mission as it reaches its halfway point, releasing stunning images of the planet as seen from orbit.

Researchers examining protoplanetary disks -- the belts of dust that eventually form planets -- have shared fascinating images of the planets from their survey, showing the various stages of planet formation.

A small meal-delivery robot suddenly caught fire in Berkeley, California, on Friday. The blaze was quickly tackled and no one was hurt, but the incident is nevertheless a troubling one for the fledgling robot delivery industry.

Elowan is a cybernetic plant that can respond to its surroundings. Tethered by a few wires and silver electrodes, the plant-robot hybrid can move in response to bioelectrochemical signals that reflect the plant’s light demands.

A Russian TV audience was impressed recently by an adult-sized "robot" that could dance and talk. But when some people began pointing out that its actions were a bit odd, the truth emerged ... it was a fella in a robot suit.

From Disney World to the Mall of America, public venues are becoming microcosms for smart city projects. We dove into both, to show what government officials can learn – and what you can expect from your city.